My Family Criticized My Wife’s Cooking, So We Secretly Put Them to the Test

For months, my wife Megan poured her heart into our family’s monthly dinners, only to face relentless criticism from my relatives. After seeing her hurt one too many times, I devised a secret plan to get to the bottom of their harsh comments. What I uncovered left me devastated.

Our family has always upheld the tradition of monthly dinners, a practice passed down from my grandmother. My siblings and I cherished these gatherings growing up, and we’ve continued them as adults. When my wife Megan and I began hosting, she was excited to join in, volunteering to cook for everyone. However, the warm welcome she expected didn’t last long.

The first time Megan cooked for the family, the criticism was immediate. “This food is so bland,” my sister Angela remarked, while my brother Dan chimed in, “Why is the chicken so dry?” Even my mom casually suggested, “Maybe use less seasoning next time.” Megan was crushed, especially after all the effort she had put into the meal.

I tried to reassure her, saying, “Don’t let them get you down, babe. Your cooking was great!” But the hurtful comments from my family took a toll on her. Despite my encouragement, Megan decided she wouldn’t cook for them again. Still, I convinced her to try one more time.

For the next dinner, Megan made my mom’s favorite roasted chicken and Angela’s beloved red sauce pasta. Once again, the criticism flowed. Angela complained the pasta was terrible, and my mom discreetly spat out a piece of chicken. Megan held back tears, devastated by their words.

That’s when I began to wonder if they were criticizing her on purpose. Determined to find out, I came up with a plan. At the next family dinner, we’d serve the same dishes, but I’d claim to have cooked everything myself. Megan reluctantly agreed to the experiment.

When dinner was served, I told everyone, “I made everything tonight, using your recipe for the chicken, Mom.” To my surprise—but not really—everyone raved about the food. “This is the best pasta I’ve ever had!” Angela exclaimed, while my dad and brother Dan praised the meal. Even my mom, who had previously criticized Megan’s cooking, said, “I’m glad you took over again!”

After hearing enough, I revealed the truth. “Actually, Megan cooked everything tonight, just like she has before.” The room fell silent. My mom and sister were visibly embarrassed, and my dad tried to cover up, claiming maybe Megan had just improved. But the damage was done.

That night, I apologized to Megan and told her we were done with the monthly dinners. I couldn’t stand to see my family treat her with such disrespect. When my relatives questioned our absence at future dinners, I explained that their behavior had driven us away. My sister later confirmed that my mom and Angela never truly accepted Megan, believing she didn’t fit into the family.

In the end, I chose to stand by my wife. We’ve created our own traditions now, filled with love, respect, and the warmth of truly appreciating each other.